Modular multi-piece shelf and shelving unit

ABSTRACT

A self-locking multi-piece shelf is disclosed wherein the shelf includes a first and second endcap, and a body having a first and a second end. The first endcap slidingly engages with the first end of the body, whereby a first part of a locking mechanism located on the body engages with a second part of the locking mechanism located on the first endcap, thereby locking the first endcap to the body. The second endcap slidingly engages with the second end of the body, whereby a first part of a locking mechanism located on the body engages with a second part of the locking mechanism located on the second endcap, thereby locking the second endcap to the body.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present invention generally relates to plastic shelves and,more particularly, to a plastic shelf having a shelf body and endcapsand to a shelving unit incorporating same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] It is known in the art to provide modular shelving systems orunits. One type of modular unit includes a plurality of rectangularpanels or shelves, wherein each shelf has four sockets, one provided ineach corner of the shelf. Successive shelves may be stacked andinterconnected to adjacent shelves by inserting posts or risers intoeach of the sockets. The modular construction provides flexibility forthe consumer to assemble a shelf system or unit with a desired number ofshelves and/or to a desired height.

[0003] Manufacturing cost, cost component, ease of assembly, and productversatility are all variables that are considered in the development andproduction of these shelving systems. In previous designs, the shelfcomponents and, more specifically, the shelves were manufactured as anintegral unit consisting of a one-piece shelf having a plurality ofsockets, or as a multi-piece unit consisting of a shelf body, end unitshaving sockets, and fasteners connecting the end units and bodytogether. There are several problems that exist with these designs,including, but not limited to, the difficulty and cost associated withthe design and manufacture of integral units, and the complexity andtedious assembly associated with multi-piece shelving units requiringfasteners.

[0004] In other previous designs, material and component cost wasreduced by decreasing the amount of material used in the shelves, andmore specifically, by reducing the thickness of the shelf materialand/or by eliminating structural components of the shelf. These costreducing designs, however, result in shelving units that are weak andthat twist or bend more easily. Similarly, the shelves may be lessdurable and/or stable, thereby reducing the life of the shelving unitand perhaps limiting the shelving unit to use in storing only lighterobjects.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure among others, aself-locking multi-piece shelf is disclosed. In one exemplaryembodiment, the shelf includes a body and a pair of endcaps. The bodyhas a first and a second end, wherein each of the first and second endsincludes a first part of a locking mechanism that is integral to thebody. The pair of endcaps each include one or more sockets, and a secondpart of the locking mechanism that is integral to the endcap. In oneexample, the first endcap is sized to slidingly engage with the firstend of the body and the second endcap is sized to slidingly engage withthe second end of the body. The first part of the locking mechanism inthe first end of the body engages with the second part of the lockingmechanism in the first endcap, and the first part of the lockingmechanism in the second end of the body engages with the second part ofthe locking mechanism in the second endcap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a self-lockingmulti-piece shelf as constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-mechanism of theself-locking multi-piece shelf of FIG. 4;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the self-locking multi-pieceshelf of FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 4 a perspective view of another embodiment of a self-lockingmulti-piece shelf as constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure;

[0010]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the self-locking multi-pieceshelf of FIG. 4;

[0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modular shelving unit, includingrisers and shelves as constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe disclosure; and

[0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tab asconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

[0013] While the method and device described herein are susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative constructions, certainillustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings andwill be described below in detail. It should be understood, however,that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific formsdisclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference toFIG. 1, a self-locking multi-piece shelf constructed in accordance withthe teachings of the disclosure is generally depicted by referencenumeral 20. As shown therein, the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 inone exemplary embodiment includes a body 22 and one or more endcaps 24,and in this example, a pair of the endcaps 24.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the body 22 defines the centerportion of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20, and may have variousshapes and sizes adapted to engage with the corresponding pair ofendcaps 24. Possible body shapes can include, but are not limited to,round, rectangular, oval, or square. The disclosed body 22 in thisexample includes a first end 30, a second end 32, a front side 34, arear side 36, an upper side 38 and a lower side 40. For ease ofillustration and understanding, the body 22 and the self-lockingmulti-piece shelf 20 in general, will herein be described as having agenerally rectangular shape, wherein the upper side 38 and the lowerside 40 are rectangular and wherein the upper side 38 and the lower side40 and the front side 34 and the rear side 36, are respectivelysubstantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the front side 34 andthe rear side 36, and the upper side 38 and the lower side 40 can becorrespondingly spaced apart giving the body 22 a depth and a thickness.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, thebody 22 has a plurality of support beams 42 located between the spacedapart upper side 38 and the lower side 40. In this example, the beams 42extend the length of the body 22 interior to the upper and lower sides.More specifically, the support beams 42 extend substantiallyperpendicular to and between the upper and the lower sides 38, 40, andextend from the first end 30 of the body 22 to the second end 32 of thebody 22.

[0017] The thickness, depth, and number of the support beams 42 maydepend and vary according to several factors, including but not limitedto, the intended use of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20, the widthof the body 22 and/or the length of the body 22. For example, if theintended purpose of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 is to storelarge, heavy objects, the number, thickness, and/or depth of the supportbeams 42 may be increased. Similarly, the longer the body 22 (i.e., thedistance between the first and second ends 30, 32 of the body 22) andwider the body 22 (the distance between the front 34 and the rear 36 ofthe body 22), the more support beams 42 may be used. Also, the supportbeams 42 need not run the entire length of the body 22. The beams mayeach be shorter in length, but arranged and positioned over the body 22to achieve desired support and strength characteristics. The orientationand design of the support beams 42, are also not limited to the onedisclosed above. Possible orientations and designs can include, supportbeams 42 that have a criss-cross pattern, support beams that rundiagonal to the length and/or width of the body 22, support beams thatrun transverse to the length of the body, or a combination thereof.Further, other structural devices can be utilized to add strength andrigidity to the shelf, in place of the beams 42. For example in-moldedribs, as shown in FIG. 5, may be square, or may be straight beams thatinclude support structures on both ends of the beam. Similarly, otherstructural devices, such as triangular, slanted or other shapedstructural devices may increase the shelf s structural performance.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the lower side 40 of the body 22 maybe perforated or segmented. More specifically, as best seen in FIGS. 3,the lower side 40 of the body 22 may include slots 44 locatedintermittent the support beams 42. The slots may 44 create T-shapedbeams 42 having a first portion 43 extending perpendicularly downwardfrom the upper side 38 and a second portion 45 attached to the end ofthe first portion and oriented substantially parallel to the upper side38. The slots 44 and the T-beams 42 may extend the entire length of thebody 22, and more specifically from the first end 30 to the second end32 of the body 22. In this example, the second portions 45 define thelower side 40 of the body 22.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more endcaps 24 can besimilar or identical and may be interchangeably used, whereas in anotherembodiment the endcaps 24 can be different and can be specificallydesigned to engage with specific parts of the body 22. In this example,the endcaps 24 are designed to engage with the first or second end 30,32 of the body 22. The disclosed endcaps 24 each include an open innerend 48, a closed outer end 50, a front side 52, a rear side 54, an upperside 56 and a lower side 58. For ease of illustration and understanding,the endcaps 24 are herein described as having a generally rectangularshape, wherein the upper side 56 and the lower side 58 are generallyrectangular in shape, although defining slightly rounded corners 59, andwherein the upper side 56 and the lower side 58 and the front side 52and the rear side 54, are respectively substantially parallel to eachother (FIGS. 1 and 4). In this example, each of the endcaps 24 has apair of sockets 60 each adapted to engage with a corresponding riser 62of a shelving unit. Furthermore, the front and rear sides 52, 54, andthe upper and lower sides 56, 58 can be correspondingly spaced apartgiving the endcaps 24 proper size to accommodate a particular shelvingunit.

[0020] The inner end 48 of the disclosed endcaps 24 are open and adaptedto receive one or either of the first or second end 30, 32 of the body22. Each endcap 24 telescopes onto one of the ends 30 or 32 in thisexample. More specifically, the inner surfaces of the front and rearsides 52, 54 of the endcaps 24 may be spaced to slidingly engage withthe outer surfaces of the front and rear sides 34, 36 of the body 22,respectively. Similarly, the inner surfaces of the upper and lower sides56, 58 of the endcaps 24 may be spaced to slidingly engage with theouter surfaces of the upper and lower sides 38, 40 of the body 22,respectively.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment, the inner end 48 of thedisclosed endcaps 24 are open and are adapted to be receive by one oreither of the first or second end 30, 32 of the body 22. Each endcap 24telescopes into one of the ends 30 or 32 in this example. Morespecifically, the outer surfaces of the front and rear sides 52, 54 ofthe endcaps 24 may be spaced to slidingly engage with the inner surfacesof the front and rear sides 34, 36 of the body 22, respectively.Similarly, the outer surfaces of the upper and lower sides 56, 58 of theendcaps 24 may be spaced to slidingly engage with the inner surfaces ofthe upper and lower sides 38, 40 of the body 22, respectively.

[0022] Located toward the closed outer end 50 of the disclosed end caps24 are the sockets 60 adapted to engage with risers 62, as seen in FIGS.1 and 6. Each socket 60 may be adapted to engage with a riser 62 bothfrom the lower side 58 of the endcaps 24 and/or from the upper side 56of the endcaps 24. For example, the sockets 60 may receive risers 62 onthe lower side 58 of the endcaps 24, and/or the socket 60 may receiverisers 62 on the upper side 56 of the endcaps 24, thereby giving theself-locking multi-piece shelf 20 modular capability. The endcaps 24may, however, have a solid upper side 56 or a solid lower side 58 ifneeded in a particular application. For example, as best seen in FIG. 6,a unique bottom self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 a in a shelving unitcan be only adapted to receive risers 62 on the upper side 56 of theendcaps 24, and may therefore have a solid lower side 58. Similarly, atop self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 c in a shelving unit can beadapted only to receive risers 62 on the lower side 58 of the endcaps24, and may therefore have a solid upper side 56. To simplify thedescription of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 and its variouscomponents, the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 is referred to hereinas 20 a-20 c, while retaining all of the various embodiment and elementsof the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20.

[0023] In one exemplary embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4,the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 may include one or more lockingmechanisms 64 to secure the endcap to the shelf body 22. Morespecifically, the shelf body 22 may include a first portion of thelocking mechanism 64 and the one or more endcaps 24 may include a secondportion of the locking mechanism 64. The first portion of the disclosedlocking mechanism 64 is the receiving portion of the mechanism, such asan aperture 70, adapted to receive and retain the second portion of thelocking mechanism 64. The second portion of the disclosed lockingmechanism 64 is the engagement portion, such as a tab 72, adapted tonest in and engage with the aperture 70. Additionally and/oralternatively, the first and second portions of the locking mechanism 64can be located and/or placed in reverse order as described above. Forexample, the body 22 may include the second portion of the lockingmechanism 64, such as the tab 72, and the endcaps 24 may include thefirst portion of the locking mechanism 64, such as the aperture 70.

[0024] It is further contemplated that the self-locking multi-pieceshelf 20 can include a multitude of the locking mechanisms 64 that canbe located on the body 22 and the endcaps 24. In one example, the firstportion includes one or more rectangular apertures 70 located near thefirst and second ends 30, 32 of the body 22, and the second portionincludes one or more wedge-shaped tabs 72 having a triangular profilelocated near the inner end 48 of the one or more endcaps 24. Thedisclosed apertures 70 include an outer edge 74 and an inner edge 76,such that the inner edge 76 is oriented toward the center of the body22, and the outer edge 74 is oriented away from the center of the body22. The tabs 72 include an inner portion 78 and an stop surface 80, suchthat the inner portion 78 is oriented toward the inner side of theendcap 24, and the stop surface 80 is oriented toward the outer side ofthe endcap 24.

[0025] In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the body 22includes two apertures 70 located near the upper side 38 of the firstend 30 of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 adapted to engage withtwo tabs 72 located on an inner surface of the upper side 56 of theendcaps 24. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the body 22may include the above described two apertures 70 and two tabs 72 andfurther include two apertures 70 located near the lower side 40 of thefirst end 30 of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 adapted to engagewith two tabs 72 located on an inner surface of the lower side 58 of theendcaps 24.

[0026] The various components of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20,including the body 22 and the end caps 24, may be fabricated fromrelatively light weight, durable, and sturdy plastic materials such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or other suitable plasticmaterials. The process or processes used to form the various componentsof the disclosed self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 may also varyconsiderably as necessary to form each given component. The componentsmay be injection molded, blow molded, continuously molded, extruded,vacuum formed, rotation molded, or the like. The manufacturing processor processes can be selected based on feasibility, cost, toolingconcerns, as well as other factors for a given application.

[0027] In one embodiment, the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 can beconstructed in a sturdy yet cost effective manner. More specifically,the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 can be constructed using variousmethods including blow molding, injection molding, and/or extrusion. Forexample, the body 22 of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 can beeconomically constructed in various widths and thicknesses using, forexample, a continuous blow molding or a continuous extrusion process.Such continuous processes permit fabricating the profile of the body 22in continuous lengths. For example, manufacturing of the body 22 usingan extrusion process enables the manufacturer to easily andinexpensively manufacture long strips 23 of the body 22, that can thenbe cut into individual bodies 22. The bodies 22 can be cut into varyinglengths, thereby enabling the manufacturer to easily and costeffectively achieve various length bodies 22 without changing toolingparameters, and yet form them having structures providing strength andrigidity to the bodies. The endcaps 24 can be manufactured, for example,using a blow molded and/or injection molding process to obtain a sturdyendcap, thereby creating a sturdy yet cost efficient self-lockingmulti-piece shelf 20.

[0028] Many benefits can be achieved by manufacturing the self-lockingmulti-piece shelf 20 using a plurality of processes and techniques. Forexample, by manufacturing the endcaps using a blow molding or injectionmolding process, detailed and intricate structures and/or elements canbe incorporated into the endcaps 24. The ability to create the detailsand intricacies, will produce a solid and structurally superior product(then other manufacturing processes), while utilizing a minimal amountof material to produce the same product. Furthermore, because thestructure of the endcaps 24 requires individual manufactured units,there is no time saving available when using other manufacturingprocesses.

[0029] In contrast, when utilizing a continuous blow molding orextrusion method to manufacture the shelf body 22, the manufacturingtime can be greatly expedited by manufacturing extended lengths of thebody 22 and then cutting them to size. Similarly the structure, such asthe support beams and the profile of the body 22, as seen in FIGS. 3 and5, can be easily altered or changed by adjusting or replacing the dye ofthe extrusion device.

[0030] The combination of the two separate processes, in manufacturingthe self-locking multi-piece shelf 20, includes further benefits to theones described above. For example, by creating two separate pieces andby using two separate manufacturing processes, there is a greatreduction in the cost of the manufacturing process of the self-lockingmulti-piece shelf 20. More particularly, if the self-locking multi-pieceshelf 20 would be manufactured as a single piece unit, a large mold(s),irregardless of the process, would be required, thereby increasing thecost of manufacturing. By creating two separate pieces, however (i.e.the endcap 24 and body 22), the size of the mold(s) for the endcaps 24and/or body 22 can be reduces, thereby decreasing its cost. Furthermore,by constructing the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20, from two separatepieces and two separate processes, a sturdy and structurally sound shelfis created, while obtaining a certain amount of modularity. Morespecifically, because the endcap 24 and body 22 are manufacturedseparately, various versions of the body 22 can be created that can allbe utilized with the endcap 24. For instance, the body 22 can bedesigned and manufactured with less material, such as thinner supportbeams, when intended to be used for storing lighter objects. Similarly,the body 22 can be designed and manufactured with more material, such asthicker or additional support beams, when intended to be used forstoring heavy objects. The modularity also extends to the length of thebody 22, whereby the body 22 can be manufactured in various lengthswhile still being able to connect with the endcaps 24.

[0031] In operation, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the user firstconnects the various components of the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20together prior to use. In the disclosed embodiment, the user aligns theinner side 48 of the first endcap 26 to the first end 30 of the body 22,and slides the inner surface of the first endcap 26 onto the outersurface of the first end 30 of the body 22. More specifically, the innerside 48 of the first endcap 26 and the first end 30 of the body 22 arealigned such that the upper side 38 of the body 22 slidingly engageswith the inner surface of the upper side 56 of the first endcap 26, therear side 36 of the body 22 slidingly engages with the inner surface ofthe rear side 54 of the first endcap 26, the lower side 40 of the body22 slidingly engages with the inner surface of the lower side 58 of thefirst endcap 26, and the front side 34 of the body 22 slidingly engageswith the inner surface of the front side 52 of the first endcap 26.

[0032] Once the first end cap 26 and the first end 30 of the body 22 areproperly aligned, the user then forces the body 22 and first endcap 26together. As the endcap 26 is forced onto the body 22, the tabs 72located on the inner surface of the first endcap 26 displace away fromone another in this example, thereby allowing the continued engagementof the first endcap 26 with the body 22. The number of tabs 72 may varydepending on the design of the shelf 20. However, the disclosed examplehas two tabs 72 in the inner surface of the upper side 48, and two tabs72 on the inner surface of the lower side 58.

[0033] The tabs 72 may move in a variety of ways depending on theconstruction and design of the locking mechanism 64. In one exemplaryembodiment, the tabs 72 may be a rigid protrusion from the inner surfaceof the endcaps 24 having a general wedge shape. The inner portion 78 ofsuch a tab 72 located toward the inner side 48 of the endcap 24 isgenerally flush with the inner surface and ramps or inclines away fromthe inner surface as the tabs 72 approach the outer side of the endcaps24. In this embodiment, the inner portion 78 of the tabs 72 (whenlocated on the inside of the upper side 56 of the endcap 24) may abutthe upper side 38 of the shelf body 22 as the shelf body 22 and theendcaps 24 are engaged. Upon further engagement, the tabs 72 are maycause the endcap 24 and/or the body 22 to deflect, creating space forthe tabs 72 between the endcaps 24 and the body 22. Due to the inherentqualities of the material used, after the tabs 72 deflect the endcap 24and/or the body 22, the original form of the endcap 24 and/or the body22 will return once the tabs 72 are fully engaged with the apertures 70.

[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, the tab 72 may be flexible andmay be a portion of the inner surface of the endcap 24, such as apartially cut out finger that is biased toward the inside of the endcap24 away from the inner surface, thereby creating a tab 72 havingresilient qualities. A partial cut out finger can be obtained byremoving or cutting enough material out of an area thereby creating atab (FIG. 7). The tab 72 may, however obtain its resilient qualitiesotherwise. For example, the tab may be a cantilever beam that is biasedthrough a manufacturing process, or the like. In this embodiment, whenthe tabs 72 are flexible and have resilient qualities, the tabs 72 onceengaged with the body 22, may depress to allow further engagementbetween the body 22 and the endcap 24. More specifically, the innerportion 78 of the tabs 72 (when located on the inside of the upper side56 of the endcap 24) may abut the upper side 38 of the shelf body 22 asthe shelf body 22 and the endcaps 24 are engaged. Upon furtherengagement, the tabs 72 may deflected against their bias by the ends 30,32 of the body 22, thereby allowing the endcap 24 to further engage. Dueto the resilient qualities of the tabs 72, after the tabs 72 aredeflected, the tabs 72 will return to their original position once thetabs 72 are fully engaged with the apertures 70.

[0035] In one exemplary embodiment, the body 22 is received in theendcap 24 until the tabs 72 engage and pop into the apertures 70,thereby locking the endcap 24 to the body 22. More specifically, as thetabs 72 approach the apertures 70 located on the body 22, the tabs 72may have a bias to engage with the aperture 70. As the tabs 72 fullyengage with the apertures 70, the tabs 72 protrude into the apertures 70thereby preventing the endcaps 24 from disengaging the body 22. Theendcap 24 may be prevented from disengagement from the body 22 by thestop surface 80 of the wedge-shaped tab 72 acting as a stop against theouter edge 74 of the aperture 70.

[0036] In one exemplary embodiment, the self-locking multi-piece shelf20 may be designed to prevent sliding movement of the body 22 relativeto the endcaps 24, once the tabs 72 are engaged with the apertures 70(FIG. 2). For example, once the body 22 has traversed far enough intothe endcap 24 to engage the tabs 72 with the apertures 70, the body 22may continue to traverse further into the endcap 24 unless it isprevented from doing so. In one exemplary embodiment, the endcap 24 mayinclude stops 82 adapted to prevent the body 22 from traversing into theendcap 24 any further than desired. The stops 82 may, for example, be apost or ledge located in the endcap 24 to allow the body 22 to traverseinto the endcap 24 enough to engage the tabs 72 of the endcap 24 withthe aperture of the body 22, and to prevent any further substantialsliding movement of the body 22 relative to the endcaps 24 once the tabs72 and apertures 70 are engaged. In other exemplary embodiments, thestops 82 may be part of the socket 60, may be part of the outer side 50of the endcap 24, or may be the outer side 50 itself.

[0037] Once the various components of the self-locking multi-piece shelf20 have been combined, the user may connect other components such as oneor more risers 62 to the self-locking multi-piece shelf 20 to create ashelving system as shown in FIG. 6. More specifically, the shelvingsystem may be purchased separately, or may be purchased as components,wherein the user may purchase the riser and self-locking multi-pieceshelf 20 individually. The shelving system may include 8 risers 62 and 3self-locking multi-piece shelves 20 as shown in FIG. 6, but may becomprised of any number of self-locking multi-piece shelves 20 andrisers 62. Furthermore, the shelving system may include other types ofrisers and shelves (not shown). For example, the risers 62 may includerisers of more than one length and the shelves may include, one or othermulti-piece shelves, including but not limited to solid one pieceshelves, shelves having perforation, shelves having a bin or basketfeature, etc.

[0038] The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearnessof understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should beunderstood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilledin the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-locking multi-piece shelf comprising: ashelf body having a first end, a second end, an upper side, and a lowerside; first and second endcaps each slidingly attached to the first andsecond ends, respectively, and providing one or more riser socketstherein; at least one locking mechanism first part carried on each ofthe first and second ends; and at least one locking mechanism secondpart carried on each of the first and second end caps; wherein eachlocking mechanism first part is engaged with a corresponding lockingmechanism second part.
 2. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1wherein the shelf body includes a plurality of support beams.
 3. Theself-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 2 wherein the plurality ofsupport beams are located between the upper and lower sides extendingfrom the first end of the shelf body to the second end of the shelfbody.
 4. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 2 wherein theplurality of support beams are each an inverted T-beam support beams. 5.The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the lockingmechanism first parts are apertures.
 6. The self-locking multi-pieceshelf of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism second parts arewedge-shaped protrusions located on an inner surface of the first andthe second endcaps.
 7. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1wherein the endcaps slidingly telescope over the ends of the shelf body.8. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the endcapsslidingly telescope into the ends of the shelf body.
 9. The self-lockingmulti-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism first partsare wedge-shaped protrusions.
 10. The self-locking multi-piece shelf ofclaim 1 wherein the locking mechanism second parts are apertures. 11.The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the lockingmechanism first parts are integral to the respective endcaps.
 12. Theself-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanismfirst parts are integral to the respective ends of the shelf body. 13.The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the lockingmechanism second parts are integral to the respective endcaps.
 14. Theself-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanismsecond parts are integral to the respective ends of the shelf body. 15.The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the shelf body isconstructed from one of extruded or blow molded polyethylene,polypropylene, and polystyrene material.
 16. The self-lockingmulti-piece shelf of claim 1 wherein the endcaps are constructed fromone of injection molded or blow molded polyethylene, polypropylene, andpolystyrene material.
 17. A self-locking multi-piece shelf comprising: ashelf body having a first end, a second end, an upper side, and a lowerside, wherein one or more apertures are located on the ends of the shelfbody; first and second endcaps each attached to the first and secondends of the shelf body, respectively, and having one or more sockets,wherein the endcaps include one or more wedged shaped tabs; wherein theone or more wedged shaped tabs of the first endcap engage the one ormore apertures located on the first end of the shelf body, and the oneor more wedged shaped tabs of the second endcap engage the one or moreaperture located on the second end of the shelf body.
 18. Theself-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 17 wherein the lower sideincludes a plurality of slots located between support beams, therebycreating a plurality of T-beams.
 19. The self-locking multi-piece shelfof claim 17 wherein the endcaps slidingly telescope over the ends of theshelf body.
 20. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 17 whereinthe endcaps slidingly telescope into the ends of the shelf body.
 21. Theself-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 17 wherein the shelf body isconstructed from one of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrenematerial.
 22. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 17 wherein theendcaps are constructed from one of polyethylene, polypropylene, andpolystyrene material.
 23. The self-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 17further including at least one stop located in each of the endcapsadapted to position the shelf body relative to the endcaps.
 24. Theself-locking multi-piece shelf of claim 17 wherein the one or moreapertures include an inner edge and an outer edge.
 25. The self-lockingmulti-piece shelf of claim 17 wherein the one or more wedge shaped tabsinclude an inner portion and a stop surface.
 26. A modular shelvingsystem comprising: a plurality of shelf bodies having a first end, asecond end, an upper side, and a lower side; a plurality of first andsecond endcaps each able to slidingly attach to the first and secondends of the plurality of shelf bodies, the plurality of first and secondendcaps providing one or more riser sockets therein; at least onelocking mechanism first part carried on each of the first and secondends of the plurality of shelf bodies; and at least one lockingmechanism second part carried on each of the plurality of first andsecond endcaps; and a plurality of risers, wherein the plurality ofrisers engage with the one or more riser sockets on the plurality ofendcaps.
 27. A method of creating a shelf comprising: providing aself-locking multi-piece shelf consisting of a shelf body having a firstend, a second end, an upper side, and a lower side, and a first andsecond endcap adapted to slidingly engage with the shelf body ends, afirst part of a locking mechanism, and a second part of the lockingmechanism; aligning the first endcap with the first end of the shelfbody, and the second endcap with the second end of the shelf body; andsliding the first endcap relative to the first end of the shelf body,and the second endcap relative to the second end of the shelf body untilthe first part and the second part of the locking mechanisms engage.